Are modern headlights too bright?
Poll: Are modern headlights too bright?
Total Members Polled: 878
Discussion
I can't be the only person who has noticed this but most modern headlights are far too bright imo. I see that it is safe to have bright headlights but it can't be safe when you make oncoming traffic squint and look away briefly because of the brightness. It is a bit too much and when I say modern I mean cars from usually the past 3-4 years and not including aftermarket chav headlights.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
It does work - try it.
You instant reaction is to focus in on the source of the light (just like startled animals do shortly before being squashed).
Once you learn not to do this, it's a lot more comfortable and you can see more.
But we shouldn't be made to adjust. You instant reaction is to focus in on the source of the light (just like startled animals do shortly before being squashed).
Once you learn not to do this, it's a lot more comfortable and you can see more.
There is nothing wrong with bulbs that are not as bright, it isn't like every car will become invisible.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Ah, clearly you've never owned a Morris Minor, or a Beetle, or old Mini then 
Yes, they emitted a lovely warm yellow glow from the headlights which I'm sure other driver appreciated. For the driver is was pretty much guess work where the road was, especially in the rain!!
Have a look at my PH garage. Yes, they emitted a lovely warm yellow glow from the headlights which I'm sure other driver appreciated. For the driver is was pretty much guess work where the road was, especially in the rain!!
Cyder said:
MarkRSi said:
Cyder said:
Apparently the customer wants that sharp cut off of light though, so don't expect to see it change any time soon. 
Really? Since when? 
It could be 'smoothed' to create a gradual drop off instead but they don't like that I believe.
y2blade said:
sorry I was replying to that. (was sure I'd quoted, obviously not)
I generally find it is the after-market stuff that causes the problem for me..badly aimed HIDs being the main one
The aftermarket ones are worse but less common. Round here anyway. I generally find it is the after-market stuff that causes the problem for me..badly aimed HIDs being the main one
Edited by PSBuckshot on Monday 14th November 11:32
kambites said:
Are they worse? Maybe it's just because there's less of them, but I can dazzled by cars that look like they have OEM HIDs far more often than those that are clearly aftermarket.
I think they're worse because they've been fitted badly. That isn't to do with them being over bright but because of how they've been fitted you tend to get the full beam of light in your face and it is unpleasant. I do get 'dazzled' more by stock German saloons but that is because they're more common.
Kickstart68 said:
Hi
There also seem to be quite a lot more people driving around with headlights on full beam when there are others around. Quite often see a car on the motorway in traffic going the other way with headlights massively brighter and dazzling than any other round them
All the best
Keith
I've noticed this main beam 'craze' thing lately. Even in town with lights on there is usually someone with main beam on. There also seem to be quite a lot more people driving around with headlights on full beam when there are others around. Quite often see a car on the motorway in traffic going the other way with headlights massively brighter and dazzling than any other round them
All the best
Keith
kambites said:
uncinqsix said:
What a lot of people don't realise is that with a correctly aligned dipped beam headlamp (HID or whatever), the maximum range is in the order of 60-70m. That means that anything over about 70km/hr (40mph) is too fast to the driver to react and stop within the amount of road illuminated by the headlamps. Underuse of main beam on the open road is far more dangerous than any extra glare from HIDs...
Extremely annoying when you want to overtake, too. There's nothing much more frustrating when driving than following someone pottering along at 40mph in an unlit 60 limit, completely unable to overtake safely because you can't see where the road goes.Silver940 said:
Not only headlights, Was following a new 5 series yesterday down the M3, it had the new fangled LED tail lights and f
k me they are bright! Having moved to a different lane and gone by all I could see was 5 series light patterns. Is it really necessary for them to be that blinding!
Never had a problem with these unless it is brake lights. But I haven't followed the new M5... Brake lights in traffic though k me they are bright! Having moved to a different lane and gone by all I could see was 5 series light patterns. Is it really necessary for them to be that blinding!
Use your handbrake for the love of god.
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